Addressing these questions required the CSNA team to implement several data collection strategies. Projections of the number of individuals with disabilities by category and county of residence in Ohio were developed for 2019. Similarly, service data from OOD’s VR case management system and employment statistics were utilized to develop estimates of the number of individuals likely to need VR services by disability category and by county. This provided a basis for developing estimates of the number of individuals actively participating in the labor force that need services to assist them in finding a job and who could benefit from OOD VR services.

Information was used from other key agencies that serve individuals with disabilities through the analysis of a variety of reports, documents and service data. OOD also partnered with Mathematica Policy Research to conduct a follow-up report to the 2014 Survey on Disability and Employment (SDE) to explore which factors are a barrier or facilitator to successful engagement in VR using survey data and state wage records along with VR administrative data. Lastly, survey data from members of Disability:IN Ohio (formerly the Ohio Business Leadership Network) was used to identify service needs of employer partners.

Projections were made in the number of Ohioans with disabilities in need of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services by category of disability and by county of residence in Ohio using American Community Survey (ACS) population projections and Bureau of Labor Statistics labor force participation and employment statistics. Similarly, service data from Ohio’s VR case management system and employment statistics were utilized to develop estimates of the number of individuals likely to need VR services. Information was used from other agencies that serve individuals with disabilities through the analysis of a variety of reports, documents and service data.